Album Review: Luke Combs reveals himself on ‘The Way I Am’

‘The Way I Am’ is a 22-track album that moves between fun anthems and personal storytelling, marking a new era for Combs’ country music career.

Riley Blum, Opinion Editor • March 20, 2026

The Catalyst / Screenshot Courtesy of Spotify

Luke Combs’ The Way I Am includes 22 songs and runs just over 1 hour and 13 minutes.

On March 20, 2026, Luke Combs released his sixth studio album, The Way I Am, adding another project to his growing country discography. From the opening track, Back in the Saddle, it’s clear Combs is back with energy and purpose. “I’ve been gone for a little too long,” he signs, setting the tone for and album that moves between upbeat anthems and slower ballads.

Junior Arden Enright said, “I’m a huge country music fan, so when I heard Luke Combs was coming out with a new album, I had to listen.” That excitement reflects what many listeners feel when the album starts.

This album covers a wide range of styles and tempos; Upbeat tracks, including Alcohol of Fame and My Kinda Saturday Night, bring joy and excitement, while others, such as Wish Upon a Whiskey, Days Like These and The Way I Am, focus on the art of storytelling and feel-good music. Other tracks, including Daytona 499 and Soon As I Get Home, offer a mix of rhythm and reflection, while ballads like Ever Mine, featuring Alison Krauss, and By By You show Combs’s softer side.

Which songs stand out? A full ranking of the album. (The Catalyst / Graphics Courtesy of Canva Edu)

Junior Samantha Kirkpatrick shared, “After listening to Luke Combs’ album, I really liked it and I feel like it’s great because we haven’t gotten music from him in a while, or at least it feels that way. I really like the song called Rethink Some Things. I liked the rhythm, the beat, it’s just really fun, and hopefully eventually we can see it in concert. I think that would be really fun, and the album overall is just really great.”

Some tracks are more personal or nostalgic, like Tell ‘Em About Tonight, The Me Part of You, Rich Man and the closing track A Man Was Born, which mix life lessons, memories and family reflections. A few songs, such as I Ain’t No Cowboy and Miss You Here, didn’t resonate as strongly, but they fit into the overall flow of the album.

The Way I Am is a representation of why Luke Combs is a force in the country music genre. The album contains a mix of fast-paced songs, emotional storytelling and reflective elements that give the listener an overall understanding of Combs’ style and personality.

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About the Contributor

Riley Blum, Managing Editor

Riley Blum attends NDB and is currently a junior. This is her second year taking Journalism and her second year as Editor of the Opinion section of The Catalyst. Outside of writing, Riley plays and coaches soccer, is part of Mock Trial where she serves on leadership as Witness Lead, and is also the Vice President of the Ambassador Board.